The Combined Effects of Exercise, Diet, and a Multi-Ingredient Dietary Supplement on Body Composition and Adipokine Changes in Overweight Adults

Effects of Supplementation with Microalgae Extract from Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Mi136) to Support Benefits from a Weight Management Intervention in Overweight Women

BACKGROUND

Microalgae like Phaeodactylum tricornutum (PT) contain the carotenoid, fucoxanthin, which has been purported to promote fat loss, lower blood lipids, and improve glucose management. This study examined whether dietary supplementation with microalgae extracts from PT containing 4.4 mg/d of fucoxanthin affects changes in body composition or health markers in overweight women during an exercise and diet intervention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 37 females (28.6 ± 7.9 years, 80.2 ± 14.9 kg, 29.6 ± 3.8 kg/m², 41.4 ± 4.2% fat) fasted for 12 h, donated a fasting blood sample, completed health and mood state inventories, and undertook body composition, health, and exercise assessments. In a counterbalanced, randomized, and double-blind manner, participants ingested a placebo (PL), or microalgae extract of Phaeodactylum tricornutum standardized to 4.4 mg of fucoxanthin (FX) for 12 weeks while participating in a supervised exercise program that included resistance-training and walking (3 days/week) with encouragement to accumulate 10,000 steps/day on remaining days of the week. The diet intervention involved reducing energy intake by about -300 kcal/d (i.e., ≈1400-1600 kcals/d, 55% carbohydrate, 30% fat, 15% protein) to promote a -500 kcal/d energy deficit with exercise. Follow-up testing was performed at 6 and 12 weeks. A general linear model (GLM) with repeated measures statistical analysis was used to analyze group responses and changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Dietary supplementation with microalgae extract from PT containing fucoxanthin for 12 weeks did not promote additional weight loss or fat loss in overweight but otherwise healthy females initiating an exercise and diet intervention designed to promote modest weight loss. However, fucoxanthin supplementation preserved bone mass, increased bone density, and saw greater improvements in walking steps/day, resting heart rate, aerobic capacity, blood lipid profiles, adherence to diet goals, functional activity tolerance, and measures of quality of life. Consequently, there appears to be some benefit to supplementing microalgae extract from PT containing fucoxanthin during a diet and exercise program. Registered clinical trial #NCT04761406.

Sex-Specific Effects on Total Body Fat Gain with 4-Week Daily Dosing of Raspberry Ketone [4-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone] and Ketogenic Diet in Mice

Background: Raspberry ketone (RK: [4-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone]) is a dietary supplement marketed for weight control. RK is structurally unrelated to the ketone bodies elevated with a ketogenic diet (KD). This study aims to determine whether RK oral supplementation with KD improves the weight loss outcomes in high-fat diet (HFD; 45% fat)-fed mice. Methods: Male and female C57BL/6J mice were HFD-fed for 9 weeks and switched to KD (80% fat) or a control diet (CD; 10% fat) or continued with the HFD for 4 weeks. Coincident with the diet switch, each diet group received oral RK (200 mg/kg/day) or a vehicle. Results: In male KD-fed mice, oral RK reduced body weight by ~6% (KD_Veh: −9.2 ± 1% vs. KD_RK: −15.1 ± 1%) and fat composition by ~18% (KD_Veh: −16.0 ± 4% vs. KD_RK: −34.2 ± 5%). HFD and KD feeding induced glucose intolerance in both male and female mice. Oral RK decreased the glucose area under the curve in female mice by ~6% (KD_Veh: 44,877 ± 957 vs. KD_RK: 42,040 ± 675 mg*min/dl). KD also had gut microbiota alterations with higher alpha diversity in males and more beta diversity with RK. These findings suggest sex-specific weight loss effects with RK and KD in mice.

Beneficial Effects of Fermentation of Red Chili Pepper Using Lactococcus lactis subs. Cremoris RPG-HL-0136 in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Red chili pepper is a beneficial natural spicy food that has antiobesity and antitype II diabetes effects, but it is not conducive to in-depth research as a dietary strategy to treat obesity. This study aims to investigate the beneficial effects of red chili pepper, fermented with a novel Lactococcus lactis subs. cremoris RPG-HL-0136. LC-MS/MS analysis is conducted to detect the content of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, and no significant difference is observed between the nonfermented red chili pepper (NFP) (W/W) and the prepared L. lactis subs. cremoris RPG-HL-0136-fermented chili mixture (LFP). After establishing a high-fat diet-induced obese type II diabetic mouse model, the effects on weight gain, weight loss of liver and testicular fat, total cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting glucose, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance in LFP were evaluated to be better than those in NFP following 10 weeks of interventions. All animal experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Xinxiang medical university. NFP and LFP could increase the expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha and caspase-2 in the high-fat mice. Compared with unfermented red chili pepper, the fermented red chili pepper complex significantly reduced LPS, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 in serum (P < .05). Intake of LFP significantly increased the expression of claudin-1 and occludin in the colon of the high-fat mice (P < .05), and there was no damage to the stomach and colon. This study provides scientific evidence that red chili pepper, fermented with L. lactis subs. cremoris RPG-HL-0136, may be beneficial for future treatment of obesity and accompanying diabetes. (IACUC.No.XYLL-20200019).

Rhododendrol, a reductive metabolite of raspberry ketone, suppresses the differentiation of 3T3‑L1 cells into adipocytes

Obesity is a serious medical condition worldwide, and a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cancer and cardiovascular disease. In addition to changes in dietary habits and physical activity, consuming supplements to maintain good health and prevent obesity is important in modern society. Raspberry ketone (RK) is a natural phenolic ketone found in the European red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) and is hypothesized to prevent obesity when administered orally. The present study found that RK was reduced to rhododendrol (ROH) in human liver microsomes and cytosol. The present study investigated whether the metabolite ROH had anti‑adipogenic effects using mouse 3T3‑L1 cells. The effects of ROH or RK on lipid accumulation during differentiation of 3T3‑L1 pre‑adipocyte into adipocyte were determined using Oil Red O staining. CCAAT enhancer‑binding protein α (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor γ (PPARγ) mRNA and protein expression were examined using reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting analysis, respectively. The present study revealed that ROH suppressed lipid accumulation in the cells, similar to RK. In addition, ROH suppressed the mRNA expression levels of C/EBPα and PPARγ in 3T3‑L1 adipocytes. Furthermore, ROH suppressed PPARγ protein expression in 3T3‑L1 adipocytes. These findings suggested that ROH is an active metabolite with an anti‑adipogenic effect, which may contribute to the anti‑obesity effect of orally administered RK. The present study indicated that it is important to understand the biological activity of the metabolites of orally administered compounds.

Metabolic gene signature in white adipose tissue of oral doses raspberry ketone [4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone] that prevent diet-induced weight gain and induce loss of righting reflex

Raspberry ketone (RK; [4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone]) is a synthetic flavoring agent and dietary supplement for weight control. This study investigated the metabolic signature of oral doses of RK that prevent weight gain or promote loss of righting reflex (LORR) in C57Bl/6J mice. Daily RK 200 mg/kg prevented high-fat diet (HFD; 45% Kcal fat) fed weight gain (∼8% reduction) over 35 days. RNA-seq of inguinal white adipose tissue (WAT) performed in males revealed 12 differentially expressed genes. Apelin (Apln) and potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily C member (Kcnc3) expression were elevated with HFD and normalized with RK dosing, which was confirmed by qPCR. Acute RK 640 mg/kg produced a LORR with a <5 min onset with a >30 min duration. Acute RK 200 mg/kg increased gene expression of Apln, Kcnc3, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), but reduced acetyl-COA carboxylase (Acc1) and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (Nqo1) in inguinal WAT. Acute RK 640 mg/kg elevated interleukin 6 (Il 6) and heme oxygenase 1 (Hmox1) expression, but reduced Nrf2 in inguinal and epididymal WAT. Our findings suggest that RK has a dose-dependent metabolic signature in WAT associated with either weight control or LORR.

Autophagy in adipogenesis: Molecular mechanisms and regulation by bioactive compounds

White adipose tissue expands rapidly due to increased adipocyte number (hyperplasia) and size (hypertrophy), which results in obesity. Adipogenesis is a process of the formation of mature adipocytes from precursor cells. Additionally, obesity-related metabolic complications, such as fatty liver and insulin resistance, are linked to adipogenesis. On the contrary, autophagy is a catabolic process; essential to maintain cellular homeostasis via the degradation or recycling of unnecessary or damaged components. Importantly, autophagy dictates obesity and adipogenesis. Hence, a clear understanding of how autophagy regulates adipogenesis is crucial for drug development and the prevention and treatment of obesity and its associated disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In this review, we highlighted recent findings regarding the crosstalk between adipogenesis and autophagy, as well as the molecules involved. Furthermore, the review discussed how bioactive compounds regulate adipogenesis by manipulating autophagy and underlying molecular mechanisms. Based on in vitro and animal studies, we summarized the effects of bioactive compounds on adipogenesis and autophagy. Hence, human studies are necessary to validate the effectiveness and optimal dosage of these bioactive compounds.

Use of polyunsaturated fatty acids in prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, obesity and cancer

Fatty acids are important structural and functional elements of human body. We can distinguish several types: among others polyunsaturated fatty acids, which include omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3PUFA) and omega-6 fatty acids(ω-6PUFA). The first group has pleiotropic health-promoting effects, while the second group, ω-6PUFA, negatively affects the homeostasis of the human body and contributes to the development of numerous diseases. Both the amount and the relative ratio of these acids in the diet is an important factor affecting health and quality of life.

Laboratory and clinical studies indicate that ω-3PUFA have a positive effect on the therapy of illnesses such as obesity and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). ω-3 PUFA supplementation also appears to have a helpful effect in the adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer and recovery.

Lipid-Lowering Efficacy of the Capsaicin in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background

Patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) have increased cardiovascular risk. Capsaicin (CAP) has been shown to reduce lipids, but efficacy for patients with MetS is unknown.

Methods

A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, to compare the effects of CAP against a placebo. Differences in the weight mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were then pooled using a random effects model.

Results

Nine randomized controlled trials including 461 patients were identified in the overall analysis. CAP significantly decreased total cholesterol (TC) (WMD = −0.48, 95% CI: −0.63 to −0.34, I²= 0.00%) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD = −0.23, 95% CI: −0.45 to −0.02, I² = 68.27%) among patients with MetS. No significant effects of CAP were found on triglycerides (TG) or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (WMD = −0.40, 95% CI: −1.50 to 0.71, I² = 98.32%; WMD = −0.08, 95% CI: −0.21 to 0.04, I² = 86.06%). Subgroup analyses indicated that sex and intervention period were sources of heterogeneity. The results revealed that CAP decreased TG levels in women (WMD = −0.59, 95% CI: −1.07 to −0.10) and intervention period <12 weeks (WMD = −0.65; 95% CI: −1.10 to −0.20). And there was no potential publication bias according to funnel plot, Begg' test and Egger regression test.

Conclusions

CAP supplementation is a promising approach to decreasing TC and LCL-C levels in patients with MetS. However, short-term (<12 weeks) use of CAP in women may also reduce TG levels.

Systematic Review Registration

Identifier: CRD42021228032.

Efficacy of dietary supplements containing isolated organic compounds for weight loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to synthesise evidence on the efficacy of dietary supplements containing isolated organic compounds for weight loss.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Four electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cinahl) were searched until December 2019. Sixty-seven randomised placebo-controlled trials of dietary supplements containing isolated organic compounds for weight loss were included. Meta-analyses were conducted for chitosan, glucomannan, conjugated linoleic acid and fructans, comparing mean weight difference post-intervention between participants receiving the dietary supplement or placebo.

RESULTS

Statistically significant weight differences compared to placebo were observed for chitosan (-1.84 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI] -2.79, -0.88; p < 0.01), glucomannan (-1.27 kg; 95%CI -2.45, -0.09; p = 0.04), and conjugated linoleic acid (-1.08 kg; 95%CI -1.61, -0.55; p < 0.01). None met our threshold for clinical significance (≥2.5 kg). There was no statistically significant effect on weight for fructans compared to placebo (p = 0.24). For dietary supplements with an inadequate number of trials for meta-analysis, a statistically and borderline clinically significant weight difference compared to placebo was found for modified cellulose, manno-oligosaccharides (in males), blood orange juice extract, and three multiple-ingredient dietary supplements. These were only reported in one trial of each. Thus, more evidence is needed before recommending them for weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS

While some dietary supplements containing isolated organic compounds warrant further investigation to determine efficacy and safety, there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend any of these dietary supplements for weight loss.

The effects of exercise and low-calorie diets compared with low-calorie diets alone on health: a protocol for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of controlled clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Exercise and weight loss diets are two independent non-pharmaceutical strategies used to improve several aspects of body composition and health. We plan to systematically review controlled clinical trials investigating weight loss diets alone compared to weight loss diets in conjunction with exercise on energy intake, body weight, body composition, cardiometabolic risk factors, sex hormones, and mental health.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI (Web of Science), Scopus, and Google Scholar will be searched to retrieve potential controlled clinical trials investigating the effects of exercise in conjunction with weight loss diets compared with weight loss diets alone on energy intake, body weight and composition (fat mass, fat-free mass), anthropometrics (waist circumference), cardiometabolic markers, sex hormones [testosterone, estradiol, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)], liver and kidney enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), uric acid, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), quality of life, and depression in adults. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and its corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) will be derived using random effects model. Several subgroup analyses based on follow-up duration, the health status of the participants, the diet used for weight loss, the exercise protocol, participants' sex, and other possible variables will be conducted to explore possible sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias will be explored by inspecting funnel plots and by conducting asymmetry tests. Overall quality of the evidence will be assessed by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool.

DISCUSSION

We envisage that this systematic review and meta-analysis will provide valuable information regarding the effectiveness of adding exercise to weight loss diets. No primary data is going to be collected; therefore, ethical approval is not required. The resulting manuscripts will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and at international and national conferences.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

The study protocol is registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO, Registration ID: CRD42020173434 ).

Dietary supplementation of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 channel agonists reduces serum total cholesterol level: a meta-analysis of controlled human trials

Abnormal cholesterol level is a major risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis, which is a fundamental derangement in cardiovascular diseases. Any efforts should be undertaken to lower blood cholesterol levels. Among dietary interventions, capsaicinoid supplementation is also considered as a novel cholesterol-lowering approach, but human studies concluded contradictory results about its effectiveness. The present meta-analysis aimed at determining the effects of capsaicinoids on serum lipid profile in humans. We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases from inception to February 2021. We included 10 controlled studies, which involved 398 participants. We found that dietary capsaicinoid supplementation alone or in combination with other substances significantly (p = 0.004 and 0.001, respectively) reduced serum total cholesterol level compared to controls with an overall standardized mean difference of -0.52 (95% confidence interval: -0.83, -0.21). Capsaicinoids also decreased low-density lipoprotein level significantly (p = 0.035), whereas no effect was observed on serum levels of high-density lipoprotein and triglycerides. Our findings provide novel quantitative evidence for the efficacy of dietary capsaicin supplementation in lowering serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels in humans. To validate our conclusion, further randomized controlled trials in a diverse population of adult humans receiving dietary capsaicinoid supplementation are warranted.

ω-3 and ω-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Obesity and Cancer

Recently, nutraceutical bioactive compounds in foods have been discovered for their potential health benefits regarding the prevention of chronic disorders, such as cancer, and inflammatory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases. Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3PUFAs), including alpha-linolenic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid, are mostly attractive. They are available for the customers worldwide from commonly used foods and/or as components of commercial food supplements. The anti-inflammatory and hypotriglyceridemic effects of these fatty acids are well known, whereas pro-inflammatory properties have been recognized in their dietary counterparts, the ω-6PUFAs. Both ω-3 and ω-6PUFAs contribute to the production of lipid mediators such as endocannabinoids that are notably involved in control of food intake, energy sensing, and food-related disorders. In this review, we present ω-3 and ω-6PUFAs and their derivatives, endocannabinoids; discuss the anti-obesity effects of ω-3PUFAs; their roles in inflammation and colorectal cancer development; and how their action can be co-preventative and co-therapeutic.

Acute feeding suppression and toxicity of raspberry ketone [4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone] in mice

Raspberry ketone (RK; [4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone]) is used by the food and cosmetic industry as a flavoring agent. RK is also marketed as a dietary supplement for weight maintenance and appetite control. The purpose of the study was to characterize the acute feeding suppression with RK (64-640 mg/kg) by oral gavage in male and female C57BL/6J mice. Cumulative 24 h food intake was reduced at 200 mg/kg (24% feeding suppression) in males and reliably reduced at 640 mg/kg (49-77% feeding suppression). Feeding suppression was not associated with pica behavior over the range of doses or conditioned taste aversion. In a separate experiment, a single oral gavage of RK (640 mg/kg) resulted in approximate 43% mortality rate (6 out 14 male mice) within 2 days. Atrophy of white adipose tissue, splenic abnormalities, and thymus involution were noted after 2-4 days after oral gavage RK. Total white blood cell count, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils were significantly lower, while mean red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were significantly higher with RK treatment. Our findings indicated a dose-dependent feeding suppression with acute RK, but doses that reliable suppress food intake are associated with pathological changes.

Raspberry Ketone [4-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-Butanone] Differentially Effects Meal Patterns and Cardiovascular Parameters in Mice

Raspberry ketone (RK; [4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone]) is a popular nutraceutical used for weight management and appetite control. We sought to determine the physiological benefits of RK on the meal patterns and cardiovascular changes associated with an obesogenic diet. In addition, we explored whether the physiological benefits of RK promoted anxiety-related behaviors. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were administered a daily oral gavage of RK 200 mg/kg, RK 400 mg/kg, or vehicle for 14 days. Commencing with dosing, mice were placed on a high-fat diet (45% fat) or low-fat diet (10% fat). Our results indicated that RK 200 mg/kg had a differential influence on meal patterns in males and females. In contrast, RK 400 mg/kg reduced body weight gain, open-field total distance travelled, hemodynamic measures (i.e., reduced systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP and mean BP), and increased nocturnal satiety ratios in males and females. In addition, RK 400 mg/kg increased neural activation in the nucleus of the solitary tract, compared with vehicle. RK actions were not influenced by diet, nor resulted in an anxiety-like phenotype. Our findings suggest that RK has dose-differential feeding and cardiovascular actions, which needs consideration as it is used as a nutraceutical for weight control for obesity.

Influence of Diet-Induced Obesity on the Bioavailability and Metabolism of Raspberry Ketone (4-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-Butanone) in Mice

OBJECTIVES

Raspberry ketone (RK) is the primary aroma compound in red raspberries and a dietary supplement for weight loss. This work aims to 1) compare RK bioavailability in male versus female, normal-weight versus obese mice; 2) characterize RK metabolic pathways.

METHODS

Study 1: C57BL/6J male and female mice fed a low-fat diet (LFD; 10% fat) receive a single oral gavage dose of RK (200 mg kg-1 ). Blood, brain, and white adipose tissue (WAT) are collected over 12 h. Study 2: Male mice are fed a LFD or high-fat diet (45% fat) for 8 weeks before RK dosing. Samples collected are analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS for RK and its metabolites.

RESULTS

RK is rapidly absorbed (Tmax  ≈ 15 min), and bioconverted into diverse metabolites in mice. Total bioavailability (AUC0-12 h ) is slightly lower in females than males (566 vs 675 nmol mL-1 min-1 ). Total bioavailability in obese mice is almost doubled that of control mice (1197 vs 679 nmol mL-1 min-1 ), while peaking times and elimination half-lives are delayed. Higher levels of RK and major metabolites are found in WAT of the obese than normal-weight animals.

CONCLUSIONS

RK is highly bioavailable, rapidly metabolized, and exhibits significantly different pharmacokinetic behaviors between obese and control mice. Lipid-rich tissues, especially WAT, can be a direct target of RK.

Microfluidization trends in the development of nanodelivery systems and applications in chronic disease treatments

Plant bioactive compounds are known for their extensive health benefits and therefore have been used for generations in traditional and modern medicine to improve the health of humans. Processing and storage instabilities of the plant bioactive compounds, however, limit their bioavailability and bioaccessibility and thus lead researchers in search of novel encapsulation systems with enhanced stability, bioavailability, and bioaccessibility of encapsulated plant bioactive compounds. Recently many varieties of encapsulation methods have been used; among them, microfluidization has emerged as a novel method used for the development of delivery systems including solid lipid nanocarriers, nanoemulsions, liposomes, and so on with enhanced stability and bioavailability of encapsulated plant bioactive compounds. Therefore, the nanodelivery systems developed using microfluidization techniques have received much attention from the medical industry for their ability to facilitate controlled delivery with enhanced health benefits in the treatment of various chronic diseases. Many researchers have focused on plant bioactive compound-based delivery systems using microfluidization to enhance the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of encapsulated bioactive compounds in the treatment of various chronic diseases. This review focuses on various nanodelivery systems developed using microfluidization techniques and applications in various chronic disease treatments.

Obesity and Erectile Dysfunction: From Bench to Clinical Implication

Obesity is a major public health issue worldwide and is frequently associated with erectile dysfunction (ED). Both conditions may share an internal pathologic environment, also known as common soil. Their main pathophysiologic processes are oxidative stress, inflammation, and resultant insulin and leptin resistance. Moreover, the severity of ED is correlated with comorbid medical conditions, including obesity. Therefore, amelioration of these comorbidities may increase the efficacy of ED treatment with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, the first-line medication for patients with ED. Although metformin was originally developed as an insulin sensitizer six decades ago, it has also been shown to improve leptin resistance. In addition, metformin has been reported to reduce oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and body weight, as well as improve ED, in animal and human studies. Moreover, administration of a combination of metformin and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors improves erectile function in patients with ED who have a poor response to sildenafil and are insulin resistant. Thus, concomitant treatment of metabolic derangements associated with obesity in patients with ED who are obese would improve the efficacy and reduce the refractory response to penile vasodilators. In this review, we discuss the connecting factors between obesity and ED and the possible combined treatment modalities.

Matcha Green Tea Drinks Enhance Fat Oxidation During Brisk Walking in Females

Intake of the catechin epigallocatechin gallate and caffeine has been shown to enhance exercise-induced fat oxidation. Matcha green tea powder contains catechins and caffeine and is consumed as a drink. We examined the effect of Matcha green tea drinks on metabolic, physiological, and perceived intensity responses during brisk walking. A total of 13 females (age: 27 ± 8 years, body mass: 65 ± 7 kg, height: 166 ± 6 cm) volunteered to participate in the study. Resting metabolic equivalent (1-MET) was measured using Douglas bags (1-MET: 3.4 ± 0.3 ml·kg^-1·min^-1). Participants completed an incremental walking protocol to establish the relationship between walking speed and oxygen uptake and individualize the walking speed at 5- or 6-MET. A randomized, crossover design was used with participants tested between Days 9 and 11 of the menstrual cycle (follicular phase). Participants consumed three drinks (each drink made with 1 g of Matcha premium grade; OMGTea Ltd., Brighton, UK) the day before and one drink 2 hr before the 30-min walk at 5- (n = 10) or 6-MET (walking speed: 5.8 ± 0.4 km/hr) with responses measured at 8-10, 18-20, and 28-30 min. Matcha had no effect on physiological and perceived intensity responses. Matcha resulted in lower respiratory exchange ratio (control: 0.84 ± 0.04; Matcha: 0.82 ± 0.04; p < .01) and enhanced fat oxidation during a 30-min brisk walk (control: 0.31 ± 0.10; Matcha: 0.35 ± 0.11 g/min; p < .01). Matcha green tea drinking can enhance exercise-induced fat oxidation in females. However, when regular brisk walking with 30-min bouts is being undertaken as part of a weight loss program, the metabolic effects of Matcha should not be overstated.

Omega-3 fatty acids in obesity and metabolic syndrome: a mechanistic update

Strategies to reduce obesity have become public health priorities as the prevalence of obesity has risen in the United States and around the world. While the anti-inflammatory and hypotriglyceridemic properties of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are well known, their antiobesity effects and efficacy against metabolic syndrome, especially in humans, are still under debate. In animal models, evidence consistently suggests a role for n-3 PUFAs in reducing fat mass, particularly in the retroperitoneal and epididymal regions. In humans, however, published research suggests that though n-3 PUFAs may not aid weight loss, they may attenuate further weight gain and could be useful in the diet or as a supplement to help maintain weight loss. Proposed mechanisms by which n-3 PUFAs may work to improve body composition and counteract obesity-related metabolic changes include modulating lipid metabolism; regulating adipokines, such as adiponectin and leptin; alleviating adipose tissue inflammation; promoting adipogenesis and altering epigenetic mechanisms.